Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall has been rewarded with a new contract ahead of the Women’s Super League final-day title showdown with Chelsea.
Eidevall, who joined the Gunners from Swedish side Rosengard last summer, has signed an extension until the end of the 2023-24 season after taking their title challenge to the wire.
The club announced a double deal this morning, with men’s manager Mikel Arteta also agreeing an extension until the summer of 2025.
“It’s great,” Eidevall said. “It allows me to continue to work for a club that I love so much and be around people that I really, really like, and to be able to achieve things together, so I’m really looking forward to that.”
Arsenal travel to West Ham on Sunday lunchtime, trailing leaders Chelsea by a point, with the Blues hosting Manchester United.
The Gunners beat Tottenham 3-0 at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday to ensure the title race went to the final day, and Eidevall has piled the pressure on Chelsea, saying “they have something to lose” this weekend.
“I think it is exciting, I’ve been at all different situations and it’s not an easy situation for Chelsea,” he said. “You live game by game and situation by situation. You cannot jump ahead.”
Eidevall, who won three league titles with Rosengard, added: “I’ve been fortunate, I’m usually involved in title races. It’s really important to be one of the teams everybody is looking up to and we have accomplished that, so let’s believe that anything can happen for us.”
Chelsea forward Sam Kerr, though, brushed off the pressure on Emma Hayes’s side this weekend, insisting the Blues are used these occasions and will enjoy facing Champions League-chasing United.
Chelsea are aiming to be the first club ever to win three consecutive WSL titles, and Manchester City took them to the wire in similar fashion last season.
“I think it’s a bit of both [nerves and excitement],” Kerr said, after collecting her awards from the Football Writers’ Association last night. “I’ve been nervous all week because I care so much and want to win so much. We’re Chelsea — we wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’d much rather be in our position than anyone else’s. This was the same last year with Manchester City. We’re used to this, it is not new and we’re going to enjoy it.”
Arsenal’s hopes of overhauling Chelsea rest on United, who are still playing for the third and final Champions League place, with the Red Devils currently fourth, two points behind neighbours City, who visit mid-table Reading on Sunday.
Arsenal forward Beth Mead said: “I’m praying United have a really good game, but it is what it is. But it’s nice to see the league is so competitive.
“It’s what we want in the women’s game and we want this league to keep striving to be better and teams getting closer to each other.”
Birmingham have already been relegated following their midweek defeat to City, ending their 11-year stay in the WSL. Spurs are in line to finish fifth, although they could still be overtaken by West Ham.
